Local internet provider launches satellite broadband service

Feb 27, 2023 News

— promises connectivity in remotest regions of Guyana

Kaieteur News – WANSat Networks Inc., a locally-based Guyanese Internet Service Provider on Sunday announced that it has signed an agreement with Viasat for distributing its satellite broadband services in Guyana.

Viasat is a global leader in satellite communications that leverages its satellite network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections and help close the global digital gap, WANSat said in a press release. The distribution agreement will leverage satellite broadband capacity from the ViaSat-3 satellite platform once it is launched and operational. According to Viasat’s Q3 FY23 earnings call, the company anticipates launch of the ViaSat-3 for the Americas satellite the week of April 8.

WANSat will market, install, and provide on-site service to broadband customers in Guyana as a licensed Internet Service Provider, in collaboration with its local partners. The agreement with WANSat gives Viasat a strategic local partner and channel to meet the growing connectivity needs of a nation with the fastest growing economy in the world. WANSat’s goal is to enable Guyana to reach 100% internet penetration by 2025, leveraging satellite to extend internet coverage beyond the extremities of current wireless and wireline providers.

Commenting on the agreement, Kevin Cohen, Head of Fixed Broadband, Latin America, & Global Prepaid Internet said: “Through this collaboration, Viasat can offer its high-quality satellite broadband connectivity across Guyana, including hard-to-reach regions. Our ability to connect unconnected communities helps create new opportunities for the people of Guyana including access to online services such as tele-medicine, distance learning, business critical tools, entertainment and e-government services. The upcoming launch of the ViaSat-3 for the Americas satellite will continue to fuel our mission to bring connectivity where it is needed most and help close the global digital gap.”

Andre Jones, Managing Director of WANSat, commented that “At WANSat, we pride ourselves in bringing the latest in satellite technology to the Guyanese public. Leveraging Viasat’s advanced satellite technology and our expertise in satellite communications will enable us to provide cutting-edge solutions for the government of Guyana, enterprise customers, and residential customers in the remotest regions of the country. There are still tens of thousands of people in Guyana without any access to the internet, or access to a high-quality, reliable broadband internet connection—we’re going to change that.”